Southport October 13, 2005
Dave, at Ocean Crest Pier, reports plenty of bait fish (both mullet and menhaden) along our beachline. Warmer than usual water temps (which are hanging around 80 degrees) and water clarity has dampened the fall bite so far.
The flounder bite remains with most fish in the 1.5 to 3 lb range via live mullet. Whiting are in the mix, with the majority still less than a pound. Bluefish run the surf daily, and most are less than 2 lbs. A few spots are being caught, with the majority of them being palm-sized fish. Slot size puppy drum are also in the area.
The fall king and spanish bite will pick back up again any day.
Bobby, at Long Beach Pier, reports big spots have arrived, and there are plenty of them. Anglers are also catching some bluefish, pompano, and whiting (even in the dirty water the storms left behind).
Kings were biting well before the dirty water came in, but no kings since the storm. The bait is back just off the pier, so there should be some big fish to catch.
A few catches of flounder off the bottom have been reported, and there’s plenty of mullet running the surf to use for bait. Catches should only improve as the fresh water moves out and the ocean cleans up.
Capt. Jimmy Price, of Wildlife Bait and Tackle, reports that the rain shut down the fishing, and there haven’t been many reports since. There were some flounder at the Southport waterfront since the storm. The flounder will start to get pushed outside as the freshwater and runoff in the river move downstream.
The trout should react the same way, with the action slowing until all the runoff is moved out.
Redd, at Yaupon Pier, reports that since the rain the flounder have been the best bite. Nothing large has been caught, but there have been some good numbers (including one guy who limited out). There have been a few spots, but nobody’s really been trying for them. And no kings reported since the storm, but the king bite should come back soon.
